Stress and Depression: A Pre and Post Cochlear Implant Comparative Study

Parents of children with hearing impairment tend to exhibit “depression” a known stress related response. Mothers of hearing impaired child are more prone than fathers to experience depression [1,2]. In addition, these mothers are found to be less successful in cultivating language and psychological development of their children. The study aimed to measure pre and post cochlear implantation (CI) levels of maternal stress and depression. Total of 5 mothers were supplied with Parental Stress Scale (PSS) and Centre for Epidemiologic studies Depression Scale (CESD) adapted in Kannada Language pre and post CI of their children. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was applied to the obtained data.No significant difference in mean levels of stress and depression pre and post CI (p<0.05) was observed. The results provide preliminary evidence that mothers of children with hearing impairment experience higher levels of stress and depression.